High-bulk cellulosic fibers and process for making the same

(19)

(11)

EP 1 217 124 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	02.06.2004 Bulletin 2004/23

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	26.06.2002 Bulletin 2002/26

(21)	Application number: 02001211.8

(22)	Date of filing: 20.03.1995

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: D21H 11/20, D21H 17/15, D21C 9/00

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(30)

Priority:

25.03.1994 US 218106

(62)	Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
	95913762.1 / 0752028

(71)	Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY
	Tacoma, WA 98477-0001 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Neogi, Amar N. Kenmore, Washington 98028 (US) Jewell, Richard Albert Tacoma, Washington 98422 (US)

(74)	Representative: Trueman, Lucy Petra
	Barker Brettell, 138 Hagley Road, Edgbaston Birmingham B16 9PW Birmingham B16 9PW (GB)

(54)	High-bulk cellulosic fibers and process for making the same

(57) Individualized, chemically crosslinked high-bulk cellulosic fibers comprising cellulosic fibers chemically intra-fiber crosslinked with a polycarboxylic acid crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of tartaric acid and malic acid and mixtures thereof optionally further comprising the addition of one or more crosslinking agents selected from poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(maleic acid), poly (methylvinylether-co-maleate) copolymer, poly(methylvinylether-co-itaconate) copolymer, citric acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, citraconic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, tartrate monosuccinic acid and mixtures thereof. A method of making individualized chemically intra-fiber crosslinked high-bulk fibers comprises applying a polycarboxylic acid crosslinking agent to a mat of cellulosic fibers and curing the crosslinking agent to form intra-fiber crosslinks.

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